Cars full of beachgoers are being turned away from one of Merseyside's best beaches.
Formby Beach is one of the most popular destinations in the region thanks to its stretch of golden sand. It's known for its natural beauty with rolling dunes, stunning views and the sparkling Irish Sea.
The beach is part of the Formby National Trust site, which consists of pine forests, and coastal marshes. It is home to rare red squirrels and seabirds such as oystercatchers and sandpipers.
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Often people will take a day trip to Formby Beach for leisurely walks, a spot of sunbathing, or a family day out - especially when it's nice weather. Over the past week, which has seen highs of 21°C, National Trust Formby has been forced to close one or both of its car parks six times after becoming full.
In messages posted on Facebook, including one shared at 11.10am on Monday, May 29, National Trust Formby told visitors its Victoria Road and Lifeboat Road car parks were full and had been closed. They instead asked people to travel by train or head to alternative beaches nearby as any cars that arrived to park would be turned away.
Speaking to the ECHO, the National Trust said they try to avoid promoting Formby as a visitor destination during hot weather and summer months due to constraints on the car parks, local community and the protected conservation site itself. Vicky Blane, National Trust general manager for Formby and Central Lancashire properties, said: "The team at National Trust are here to welcome everyone who loves to visit but we need your help to keep Formby’s nature haven special.
"You can do this by taking your litter home with you, not lighting fires or BBQs and being mindful of other people and the wonderful wildlife all around you. We’re expecting to be busy on weekends throughout summer, particularly if the sun is shining.
"If National Trust car parks are full, please consider exploring alternative beaches and car parks along the Sefton and Wirral coast."
Sefton Council said it is also encouraging visitors to consider alternative destinations, such as Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby, which are all RNLI lifeguarded beaches. Each have parking available close by and are in walking distance from Merseyrail stations.
But despite its popularity, Formby Beach maintains a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The vastness of the beach, dunes and nature reserve mean there is ample space for visitors to find a peaceful spot to relax.
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